Success StoryLEAP



LEAP

Author: Rachel Hance

Planning Unit: Logan County CES

Major Program: LEAP

Plan of Work: Healthy Eating

Outcome: Initial Outcome

According to the Cabinet for Health and Family Services, Kentucky has one of the highest prevalence for pediatric obesity in the nation.  Approximately 37% of Kentucky children ages 10-17 years are considered overweight or obese according to BMI-for-age standards. Half of Kentucky’s children in poor families are overweight or obese. In the Mammoth Cave Area, the incidence rates for adult and youth overweight and obesity, are above the national average. 

Studies have shown that youth and adults are more likely to try healthy foods when presented with a fun, participatory group activity like the LEAP program.  Literacy Eating and Activity for Youth is offered by Family and Consumer Sciences Extension Agents, in 7 Mammoth Cave Area Counties including Barren, Hart, Logan, Metcalfe, Monroe, Simpson and Warren. During the current program year, MCAFCS Agents in conjunction with twenty- four community partner volunteers, provided ninety-eight sessions of LEAP with participation of one thousand five hundred thirty seven youth.  Families of youth participants receive UKFCS nutrition and food preparation information, to help improve their quality of life. Evaluation data across the Mammoth Cave Area, show that roughly ninety-six percent of youth who participate in LEAP, are more open to trying new foods, fruit and/or vegetables.

To address this issue of childhood obesity in Logan County, the Logan County Cooperative Extension Family and Consumer Sciences and 4-H Youth Development Agents as well as the Logan County SNAP program assistant partnered together with the county preschool and kindergarten programs to provide the Literacy, Eating and Activity for Primary (LEAP) program.  The agents and assistant were able to go into the classrooms and read a story and provide a healthy snack related to the storybook to each child.   

The LEAP program was delivered to a total of 236 youth in Logan County.   According to surveys, all students enjoyed the storybooks and most students sampled the accompanying snacks.   Several of the students indicated that they were tasting foods for the first time.  All students also learned the importance of taking a "hello bite" and by the end of the program indicated understanding of what that was.  Teachers indicated much appreciation for coming and sharing the books and accompanying snacks with the students.






Stories by Rachel Hance


Lead to Read

about 3 months ago by Rachel Hance

Youth need opportunities to develop social skills, civic and leadership skills, create strong connec... Read More


Preschool Pumpkin Days/Preschool Spring Fling

about 3 months ago by Rachel Hance

It is through our valued partnership with the Allen, Logan, and Simpson Community Early Childhood Co... Read More


Stories by Logan County CES


4-H Entrepreneurship Project - Youth for Success

about 3 months ago by Katherine Woodward

According to the Global Entrepreneurship Monitor, 1 in 5 adults are in the process or have founded t... Read More


4-H Entrepreneurship Project Helps Youth Learn by Doing

about 3 months ago by Carrie Derossett

According to the Global Entrepreneurship Monitor, 1 in 5 adults are in the process or have founded t... Read More


Stories by LEAP


Growing Healthy Kids

Growing Healthy Kids

about 3 months ago by Vicki Shadrick

Nutrition, physical activity and ag literacy were identified by the Webster County Extension Council... Read More


LEAP in 5 Elementary Schools 2023

LEAP in 5 Elementary Schools 2023

about 4 months ago by Sonya Carter

According to the State of Childhood Obesity, Kentuckys children between the ages of 10-17 have the n... Read More